Controlled power transmission apparatus



Feb. 18, 17941. Q A MA1-HEY 2,232,252

CONTROLLED POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS I Filed May 21, 19:58 s sheets-sheet 1 lATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1941. Q A MATHEY l 2,232,252

CONTROLLED POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS Fild May 21, 195s s sheetssheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 18, 1941 l UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.'

- CONTBOLLED POWER TRANSMISSIO ,APPARATUS Chester A. Mathey.' Tulsa, Okla. Application May 21, 1938, Serial No. 209,258

2 claims'.

This invention relates to a controlled power transmission apparatus, and 'more particularly to an apparahis of that character, the speed ofl operationof which is variable, and the driving 5 and driven constituents of which'A have inter-r changeable relation to each other.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a durable and efficient apparatus adapted for the controlled transmission of mechanical power for any desired purpose; to provide a speed and/or pressure control for the apparatus; to actuate the speed and/or pressure control incidental, to actuation of the apparatus; to provide for independently controlling the speed control; to provide automatic safety factors for the apparatus; to provide for regulating actuation of the apparatus in relation to speed of and/or pressure on the apparatus; to provide improved elements in an apparatus of this character; and to provide an improved vorganization of such elements.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying. drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. l, the transmission gear housing being shown in vertical cross-section to illustrate a suitable type of gearing for interconnecting the driven and driving members.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of the present invention illustrating an arrangement wherein one of the driven or driving members is engaged with the transmission gear housing.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View of an apparatus 40 substantially similar to that illustrated in Fig.

3, but in which the transmission housing is reversed,- the transmission housing being shown in vertical cross-section to illustrate planetary gears for transmitting power between the pump and the driven or driving members.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a further modified form of invention, parts o the transmission gear housing and stationary mounting being broken away to illustrate reciprocating pump plungers and planetary gearing for transferring ccntrollcd po-wer between a driven and a driving member.

Fig. 6 is a'verticalcross-section through the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 5 on the line 8 6,

Fig. 5.

(ci. 18s- 90) Fig.,'1 is a detail vertical cross-section through one of the reciprocating pump plungers on the line 1 1, Fig. 6.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In Figs. 1 and 2, I .and 2 designate suitable standards having pillow blocks 3 and 4 provided with bearing openings for receiving theends 5 and 6 of driven and driving members, which are interchangeable in relation to each `otherfor those purposes. l For the sake of convenience, the shaft 1 will be considered the member driven by a suitable source o f power, not shown, and the shaft 8 will be termed the driving member, the shaft 8 having a suitable power take-off4 9 xed thereto which, in the present instance, is `in the l form of a sprocket wheel havinga chain l leading to an apparatus, not shown, desired to be driven.

The inner end of the shaft- B is rotatably mounted in. a bearing II, the bearing being mounted in an opening I2 at one side of a transl mission gear housing member I3, the opposite side I4 of which housing member is closed by a ring gear I which is fixed to the housing as by fastening devices I6. The ring gear I5 is provided with gear teeth l1 at its periphery and is provided at itsV center with an opening I8 adapted to receive a bearing I9 in-Which the inner end 6 of the driven shaft 1 is rotatably mounted.

In the present instance, a differential system .30

of gears is illustratedl in the rotatable gear transmission housing I3, it being apparent, however, that other systems of gears may be mounted in the housing so. long as they interconnect the driven and driving shafts 1 and 8.

In Fig. 2, designates a beveled driving gear which has ahub 2I keyed, as at 22, on the driven shaft 1.l 23 and 24 designate beveled planetary pinions rotatably mounted in oppositely disposed relation and in fixed position in the housing .|3, the pinions having gear teeth adapted to mesh with the gear teeth of the driving gear 20. 25 designates a driven beveled gear having teeth adapted to mesh with the teeth of the planetary pinions 23 and 24 and having a hub 26keyed to the driving shaft 8, as shown at 21.

With the construction thus far described, it is apparent that when'the housing is held stationary, power applied to rotate the shaft 1 rotates the shaft 3 Athrough its gear connection with the shaft 1, and that power may consequently be taken off the shaft 8 by the chain I0 for any desired purpose. l

In order to control speed of rotation of the transmission gear housing, and consequently adapted to contain fluid pressure medium for circulation through the pump 28 is also provided. Communication between the pump and reservoir for passing fluid pressure medium therebetween is had by the lines 34 and 35, oney of -which may be a flow line andthe other of which may -be a discharge line. For the purpose of illustration, the line 34 will be considered the flow line and the line 35 will be considered the discharge line.

The speed of actuation of the pump 28 is preferably controlled by a throttle valve 36vmounted in the discharge line and which is adjustable in the usual manner to applyvdesired resistance to discharge ofl fluid pressure medium -from the pump to the reservoir.

It is sometimes very important to ascertain the pressures on the pump in order to determine the speed of actuation of the pump and consequently the driving member, and also to ascertain when v-excessive loads are .placed on the driving member so the throttle valve may be adjusted in accordance with the load and thus relieve the apparatus of unnecessary or dangerous strains. The gauge 31 is therefore provided, preferably in .the'discharge line 35, for indicating pressures at which an operator may actuate the throttle valve 36 for obtaining a proper degree of adjustmentv of fluid pressures on the pump.

In order to further control maximum speed and pressuresof and on the pump, and consequently safeguard 'the various elements of the organization, a line 38 is .provided f or by-passing fluid pressure mediumv in the disch-arge line 35 about the throttle valve 36, the line 38 being provided with a relief valve 39, which may be set to pass uid pressure medium through .the bypass l-ine 38, when pressures in the discharge line 35 exceed .a predetermined maximum.

When .driving some mechanisms, for example Jwhen raisin-g and lowering anJ object, it is necessary tol reverse the direction of travel of the power unit. I' have therefore .provided means for controlling speed of actuation of .the apparatus in either direction by employing a rotary pump capable of pumping fluid when driven in eitherdirection.

When the direction of actuation of the appagauge 4I, a 4by-pass line 42 also being provided having a relief valve 43 therein for the purpose and having the functions of the by-pass line 38 and relief valve 39 previously described.

With the provision described,r it is apparent that the control and relief valves on one line 'may be set to provide a'given speed of actuation in one direction andthe control and relief valves on the other'line may be set to provide a given speed of 'actuation in .the reverse direction.

The operation of an apparatus constructed as described is as' follows: v

Suitable power applied tothe driven Vshaft 1 to rotate the samein its pillow block 3 rotates 'the driving gear 20 in .one direction andv the driven 'gear in the opposite direction through its .connection withthe .planetary pinions 23 and 24, 4the Ishaft 8 rotating in its pillow blo'ck 4 and .power bein-g taken off the shaft 8 by the chain I0.

As lthe driving gear 20 rotates, due to the load on the shaft 8, the transmission gear housing I3 rotates in the same direction to rotate the ring gear I5 in the same direction and the pinion gear 3l of the .pump 28 in an opposite direction, the pinion .gear actuating the pump to force fluid -pressure medium through the discharge line 35 into the reservoir 32 and from the reservoir through the ow line 34 back to the pump. Flow of fluid pressure medium between the pump and reservoir is controlled by the throttle valve 36 and the .pressures in the flow line are indicated by the gauge 31. By adjusting the throttle valve 36 in relation to the pressures indicated on the gauge 31,- or the speed of actuation of the apparatus receiving power from the transmission,

a proper amount of resistance is imparted to the rotating transmission gear housing,- Which affects rotation of the driving shaft 8, and thus controls application of power of the driving member for any desired purpose. When .the load on the driving shaft 8 exceeds a predetermined maximum, the transmission gear housing will drive the pump at sufficient speed to raise the discharge pressure acting against the throttle valve 36, in which eventl fluid .pressure medium in the bypass line 38 "kicks-off the relief valve 39 and relieves the valve 36 of the pressure thereon and consequently relieves the .transmission gear housing of the excess of resistance to rotation, and allows the speed of the housing to increase and the speed of shaft 8 yto decrease in such a manner that excessive strains on the whole organization are avoided. v

It should be apparent that in an organization of vthe character described three primary elements are involved, any one of which may be the driven member and either of `the other two of which may be the driving and/or -control members. Different forms of the arrangement between the .primary elements have been illustrated in the various iigures of .the drawings, but in each case the principles involved and the results obtained are substantially the same. l It is, therefore, believed obvious that the principal features of invention include,` in any of .the forms of invention shown, the application of a pump to one of the rotating elements of a planetary power transmission system, the .provision of a throttle valve ina line or lines connecting the reservoir and pump for controlling the speed of the driving shaft regardless of the direction of travel, and

the .provision of a relief valve in the connecting line or lines, which in response to an excessive load on the driving shaft stops rotation ofthe driving shaft, thus avoiding damage to any mechanism .connected to the transmisison.

. end of a transmission gear housing 50.

, The driving member, in this instance, consists -of a shaft 5 IV rotatably mounted in a .pillowblock at .the .center of one side of the .transmission housing 50.

It is apparent that in the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 3,.the transmission gear housing may `contain gears of differential or planetary type.

In either event, such gears interconnect the driving member -or shaft 5| with an oppositely disposed shaft rotatable in an opposite direction and having a pinion gear 56 on the outer end thereof meshing with a train of reduction or like gears 51, which terminate in a pinion gear 58 mounted on the end of-a shaft 59 for actuating a pump 60 .preferably of hydraulic type.

As in the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, a fluid pressure medium reservoir 6| is provided which communicates with the pump through flow and discharge lines 62 and 63, respectively, the vow and discharge lines being respectively provided with throttle valves 64 and 65, gauges 66 and 61, by-pass lines 68 and 69.hav ing relief valves 10 and 1| therein, similar to, for the purposes, and having the functions of the corresponding devices disclosed in connection with the form of invention illustrated in Figs. l and 2. l

The operation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the form of invention illustrated in Fig. 3 is substantially similar to that a1- ready described, with the exception that power from a suitable source is applied to rotate the shaft which in turn drives the gear transmission ihousing 50 in an opposite direction through meshing engagement of the pinion gear 48 and ring gear 49. Power may, however, be taken oilD the shaft 5| for any desired purpose. The pump is actuated, in this instance, through its connection, by the train of gears 56, 51 and 58, with the internal gears of the transmission housing, resistance being applied to such gears and consequently the transmission gear housing and power take-off by the pump 60 as controlled by the throttle valves 64 or 65, the adjustment of which is determined by observation of the gauges 66 or 61 or the speed of the appara-tus receiving power from the transmission. The relief valves 10 and 1| automatically operate upon application of excessive pressures, over a predetermined maximum, to the flow or discharge lines to relieve therorganization of unnecessary or .-dangerous strains. f

It will be understood that the position of the transmission housing is reversible and, in Fig.

4, the position thereof is reversed in relationto'.

the showing of Fig. 3.

In Fig. 4, the transmission housing 15 is shown as provided with gears of planetary type, wherein 16 designates a sun gear having a hub -11 keyed as shown at 18 to the reduced extreme inner end 19 of a driving shaft 80, the outer end of which is mounted in the bearing portion of a pillow block 8| supported by a suitable standard 82. The sun gear 16 is further provided with a bearing 83 engaged about the inner end of a shaft 84, the shaft having its outer end rotatably mounted in the bearing portion of a pillow block 85 mounted ona suitable standard 86. The bearing 83 rotatably mounts the sun gear 16 on theinner end of the shaft 84. A sun gear 81 is keyed, as-shown at 88, on the shaft 84 adjacent a bearing .opening 89 at one side of the transmission gear housing, a bearing 90 being mounted in the opening to rotatably mount the gear housing on the shaft 84.

Oppositely disposed pairs lof aligned openings 9|-92 and 93-94 are provided in the side wall of the transmission housing and the body portion of a ring gear 96, fixed to and closing one end of the housing by fastening devices 91, for receiving the outer ends of shafts 98 and 98 on which are mounted planetary gears |00 and |0|. Each planetary gear has'a set of gear teeth |02 engageable with the gear teeth of the sun g'ear 81 and each of the planetary gears is provided with a. set of gear teeth |03 engageable with the gear teeth of the sun gear 16.

The ring gear 9 6 is lprovided with a bearing opening having a bearing |04 therein for rotatably mounting the ring gear on the inner unreduced portion |05 of the driving shaft 80. The ring gear is also provided with teeth on its periphery adapted to mesh with the teeth on a pinion gear |06, which is fixed to the end 'of a driven shaft |01, the inner end of which is rotatably mounted vin a pillow block |08 mounted on a suitable standard |09.

As shown in Fig. 3, resistance is applied to rotation of the gear transmission housing by a pinion gear ||0 fixed to the outer end of the shaft 84, the pinion gear meshing with a reduction gear fixed to a shaft ||2 rotatably, mounted in the standard 86. A gear ||3 is fined to the gear and also mounted on the shaft 2 which meshes with the pinion gear ||4 on the shaft ||5 actuating the pump H6.

As in the other forms of invention, a fluid pressure medium reservoir ||1. communicates with the pump |56 through flow and/or discharge lines 8 and H9, circulation through which is controlled by throttle Valves |20 and |2| which are adjusted in predetermined relation to the showing of gauges E22 and |23 effected by the speed of actuation of the pump ||6 in response to actuation of the driven and/or driving members |01 and 80. By-pass lines |24 and |25 having relief valves |26 and |21 are also provided in the flow and discharge lines for the purpose previously described.

In the form of invention, illustrated in Fig. 4,

the. operation initiates with the driven shaft |01, L:

the power from which rotates the ring gearSS in an opposite direction to rotate the power takeoff |28 on the shaft 80 in the same direction as the driven member. Resistance is applied to rotationof the gear housing '15 by the interconnection between' the shafts 80 and 84 of the planetary gears, rotation of the shaft Bdbeing controlled by the pump ||6 through the train of gears 0 to ||4 inclusive. Actuation vof the pump is controlled in a manner similar tothat previously describedy to the end that unnecessary or dangerous strains need not be applied tothe organization of'parts shown and the apparatus may thus serve-its intended purpose over prolonged periods of time.

In Figs. 5 to 7, a further modified form of invention -is shown wherein, for the purpose of illustration, |30 designates a driven member or shaft and |3| designates a driving member or shaft which may have a suitable power take-off, not shown, applied thereto in a suitable manner for any desired purpose. The shafts |30 and |3| are rotatably mounted in bearings |32-and |33, Fig. 6, xed in the hubs |34 and |35 of a stationary mounting member |36, the mounting member being suitably stationed in a fixed position on standards |31 having a bearing |39 for rotatably mounting that other side of which' is closed by a plate or the like |40 fixed to the gear housing |38 by fastening devices |4|. a hub |42 having a centrally `disposed bearing |43 therein for rotatably mounting the fixed plate on the shaft 3|.

Sun gears |44 and |45 are keyed to the ex- ;treme inner ends of the shafts |30 and -|3|' respectively, as shown at |46 and |41, the sun gear |45 being provided with a bearing |48 adapted to rotatably mount the sun gear |45 on the inner end of the shaft |30. The side wall |49 of the transmission gear housing and the plate |40 closing the opposite side of the hous- `ing are provided with aligned oppositely disposed openings for receiving shafts therein on which planetary gears |50 and |5| are rotatably mounted. Each of the planetary gears is provided with a set of gear teeth |54 adapted to mesh with the teeth of the sun gear |44 and a set of gear teeth |55 adapted' to mesh with the gear teeth of the sun gear |45.

It is thus apparent that, as the driven shaft |30 is rotated, such rotation is transmitted through the sun gear |44 to the planetary gears and |5|, thence to the sun gear |45 which rotates the driving shaft |3| in such a manner that the power thereof may be taken off for any desired purpose.

In order to control rotation of the gear transmission housing and speed of actuation of the driving member |3|, the gear housing is providedwith a peripheral cam follower |56 of varying thickness, the outer periphery |51 of the cam follower being engageable with the lower faces of each of a plurality of reciprocating pump plungers |58, one of which is particularly illustrated in' Fig. 7.

The plungers |58 are slidably mounted in cylinders |59 mounted on the inner face of the stationary mounting |36 in spaced relation to each other and in alignment with the cam follower |56. The upper ends of the plungersare provided with sealing rings or the like |60 lf'lxed thereto as by fastening devices |6| and the plungers are each normally urged downwardly into engagement with the cam follower by a spring |62 having its lower end seating in a recess |63 in the upper end of the plungers and its upper end seating in a recess |64 in each` of a plurality of valve heads |65. The vvalve heads |65 are each suitably mounted on the stay tionary mounting in sealing vrelation to each of |59 with the chamber |69, and which has'a valve stem |12'extending into a cage or the like |13,

the valve stem normally. being urged upwardly to maintain the valve |10 closed by a spring |14, the respective ends of which bear against the lower end of thecage and awasher |16 v.on the upper end ofthe valve stem. i

The discharge chambers |68 are each provided with an opening |16 leading tov the interior of the cylinder |59, and an outlet valve |11 normally seats in the opening |16 in response to pressure of a spring |16 in the.valve cage |19 which bears against the upper end of the valve stem to maintain the valve |11 closed.

The plate |40 is provided with i side of the housing -on the shaftA |30 and the The flow and discharge lines |61 and |66 respectively provide'a common circulation system between each of a plurality of plunger pumps |8| to |86 respectively. More particularly, flow initiates from a fluid pressure medium reservoir |81 and flows through the line |88 where it connects with the ow line |61 as 'at |89. Flow of pressure fluidmedium is directed to each of the chambers |69 of kthe plunger pumps |8| to |86 and opens the valves |10 therein to ll the space |90 above the pump plungers. l

When power is applied to the driven shaft |30l it rotates the transmission gear housing in such a manner that the high lobe portion of the cam follower forces the pump plungers into the cylinders and forces fluid pressure medium upwardly therein to open the valves |11. 'I'he uid pressure medium then backs up against pressure in the discharge line |66 in the direction of the connecting line 9| Fig. 5; leading to the reservoir |81.

As in the other forms of invention, a throttle valve |92 is provided in the discharge lineand, in the present instance, a pressure gauge |93 is also provided in the connecting line |9| for indicating pressures in the line forming a resistance to rotation of the transmission housing inil such a manner that the throttle valve may be adjusted in relation to the indicatedv pressures and speed of rotation desired to be imparted to the driving shaft |3|.

A by-pass line |94 is also mounted in the connecting line |9| for by-passing uid pressure medium about the throttle valve, a relief valve |95 beingprovided in the by-pass line which may be set to pass fluid pressure medium therethrough in response to an excess of pressure over a predetermined maximum in the circulation system.

'I'he operation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with this modified form of invention is as follows:

Power is applied'in a suitable manner to rotate the driven shaft' |30, which, through the sun gear |44, and the planetary gears |50 and |6|, rotates the transmission gear housing |38 which in turn rotates the driving shaft |3| through the planetary gears and the sun gear |45. As the transmission gear housing rotates.. the cam follower thereon engages the pump plungers andy depresses them to force uid pressure medium into the discharge line |66 through the outlet valves |11. Resistance to movement of -the'fluid pressure medium and consequently the pump plungers is regulated bythe throttle valve |92 as determined by observation of the gauge |93vto the end that the proper amount of resistance may be applied to rotation of the transmission gear housing and thedriving shaft |3I. In case pressures in the circulation lines exceeda predetermined maximum, the relief valve |95 permits fluid pressure medium to by-pass the throttle valve in` l such a manner that excessive strains on the apparatus generally are avoided.

The principal advantages in an apparatus con` structed as described are that actuation of a driving member may be positively and smoothly con'- trolled without imparting unnecessary strains vto the apparatus as a whole and a variable speed of actuation may thus be imparted to a mechanism driven bythe driving shaft. Fluctuations in 'speed of actuation of a mechanism receiving power from the transmission are maintained at a minimum in relation to any single setting of theL controls. 'The apparatus is of durable construction, 'is efiicient'in operation and is well adapted tor the controlled transmission of mechanical power for any desired-purpose.

What I claim and 'desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a power transmission mechanism, means for varying speed of said mechanism including a reversible rotary pump actuated by said mechanism,l a nuid source, separate ducts connecting the pump with,the iiuid source and each adapted to'pass nuid under pump pressure to the source of supply and from the source of supply to the pump depending upon direction of pump rotation, throttle valves in the .respective ducts for selectively resisting ilow of the iluid through said ducts, by-passes connected with the ducts on the respective sides of the throttle valves, and nuid release means arranged in each by-pass to release fluid discharged by the pump for passing said iluid around the throttle no valves when predetermined pressures are reached in the ducts.

2. In combination with a power tra mechanism, means for varying speed of said mechanism including a reversible rotary pump actuatedk by said mechanism, a duid source, separate ducts connecting the pump with, the fluid source and each adapted to pass duid under pump pressure to the source of supply and from the source of supply to the pump depending upon direction of pump rotation, throttle valves in the respective ducts for selectively resisting flow oi' the huid through said ducts, by-passes connected with the ducts on the respective sides oi' the throttle., valves, iluid release means arranged in eacl by-pass to release iluid discharged by the pump for passing said tiuid around the throttle valves when predetermined pressures are reached in the ducts, and indicator means connected in said ducts on the pump side ot the throttle valves :for indicating extent of control by said speed varying means.

CHESTER A. MATHEY. 

